Telegraph sending machine



za mmm Jmfiw J. m MEIF'F TELEGRAPH SENDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 9, 1 939 INVENTOR.

HNAlA MW J m H 134 J A LA i111 TELEGRAPH SENDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 9, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WIIIIIH mun m5 m5 NA-E INVENTOR. OHM"A.[A BY f? M ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 16, 1940 PATENT OFFICE TELEGRAPH SENDING MACHINE JohnA. La Hiff, New York, N. Y., assignor to The Vibroplex 00., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 9, 1939, Serial No. 249,843

9 "Claims.

This invention relates toa telegraphic sending machine and refers more'particularly to a semi-automatic telegraphic sending machine having an operatinglever portion of which is adapted to vibrate automatically for thepurpose of transmitting dot signals.

Machines of this type which are used in prior art, often vibrate too quickly, with the result that incorrect messages are sent by an insufficiently trained operator. The damping means of such machines are often inadequate and the operating lever used for the sending of messages, often does not move sufiiciently' freely.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a semi-automatic telegraphic sending machine wherein the speed with which the dot signals are automatically transmitted may be quickly and conveniently varied to adapt the machine to the skill of the operator using the same.

Another object is the'provision of a semi-automatic telegraphic sending machinewherein the operative length of the operating lever may be quickly and conveniently adjusted for the purpose of varying the speed of vibrations.

A further object is the provision of a semiautomatic telegraphic sending machine having simple, inexpensive and effectively operating damping means for the operating lever.

A still further object is the provision of a semi-automatic telegraphic sending machine wherein the operating lever is provided with effective supporting means and is so constructed that it can be easily manipulated and removed whenever necessary.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

The objects of the present invention may be realized through the provision of a lever a portion of which is adapted to be manually actuated by a sidewise motion for the purpose of transmitting the dash signals, another portion of said lever being caused to vibrate in order to i transmit automatically the dot signals, the operative length of the lever being varied by constructing the lever of at least two parts which are so connected with each other that the relative positions of these parts may be easily and a conveniently varied. The vibrations of the lever are damped by the use of a roller or the like which is suspended from a single post. The lever is firmly connected with a spindle the upper and lower ends of which are held in place by jewel bearings.

The invention will appear more. clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example preferred embodi- 1 merits or the inventive idea.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of a sending machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the operating lever and of .the various parts connected therewith.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the lever shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section along the line 44 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section along the line iiii of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a section along the line 'E--l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 shows a portion of an operating lever of a somewhat different construction.

Fig. 9 is a section along the line il9 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is section along the line iB--Iil of Fig. 3.

The sending machine shown in Figures 1 to 7 i thedrawings comprises a base it which may be made of Bakelite, metal, wood or the like and which supportsa lower plate l2 Fig. 6. Two columns or posts l3 and i l extend through the plate i2 and are firmly connected with the base ii. [in upper plate iil vvhich is similar to the plate l2 and which is triangular in form, is carried by the columns 13 and M and is attached thereto by the bolts l5 and l1.

The main operating lever i8 Fig. 1 comprises a vibrator bar It carrying a projection 20 which is firmly connected with the bar it and is adapted to strike the cylinderliii for the purpose of damping the vibrations of the lever.

The opposite end of the bar it is bifurcated and is provided with two parallel leg portions 2i and 22. The portion 22 of the basis provided with two openings 23,0neof which is shown in Figure l. Threaded openings it which are somewhat smaller than the openings 23, are provided in the other leg 2! of the bifurcated end portion of the bar it and constitute continuations of the corresponding openings 2t. Set screws 25 extend through the unthreaded openings 23 and are screwed into the threaded openings 24.

The lever i8 is also provided with a vibrator spring 26 having an end which extends between the portions 2! and 22 of the bar it and which is provided with an. elongated slot 2! enclosing One end of the lever portion 28 is provided with a transverse opening 3!.

The operating lever l8 also includes a handle 32 which is provided with a U-shaped yoke 33. The two lugs of the yoke 33 enclose the lever portion 28 and are provided with openings through which the spindle 30 extends. A hexagonal nut 34 extends through one of the lugs of the yoke 33 and is in engagement with the lever portion 28.

The handle 32 carries an insulating finger piece 35 which is actuated whenever it is necessary to produce dash signals. An insulating thumb piece 36 which is actuated for the purpose of causing the vibrations of the operating lever is connected with the handle 32 by the screw 3'! and also by the. spindle 38 which carries the finger piece 35 also.

The handle 32 carries a bolt 39 which is provided with a threaded end 46 carrying a round nut 4|. The bolt 38 extends through the opening 3! and is surrounded by the spring 82.

The nut 39 is used for the purpose of regulating the tension of the spring 42 which holds the handle 32 normally against the lever portion 28.

As shown in Figure 3, the bolt 43 also extends through an elongated slot M provided in a plate 45 carrying the electrical contact 46. The plate 45 is held in place by the bolt 43.

The contact 46 is adapted to engage a fixed contact 41 (Figure 1), which constitutes one end of contact screw 48 extending through a post 49 secured to the base II. The two contacts 46 and 41' are used for the making of dash signals.

The dot signals which are made automatically are produced by a contact 56 carried upon one end of a U-shaped spring The opposite end of the spring 5i is firmly connected by a rivet 52 to a plate 53. The lower end of the plate 53 is rovided with an opening through which the bolt 54 extends. A nut 55 is screwed upon the projecting end of the bolt 54.

The contact 56 carried by the U-shaped spring 5! may be brought into engagement with a fixed contact 56 constituted by one end of the contact screw 5'! extending through a post 58 which is attached to the base II.

The weight of the lever 18 may be adjusted through the use of an adjustable weight 54a having the form of a square body carrying a screw 55a and provided with a longitudinal slot through which the vibrator bar !9 of the lever l8 extends. The weight 5411 may be shifted along the member l9 after the screw 55a has been unscrewed.

As shown more clearly in Figure 6 of the drawings, the spindle 3!) is provided with two conical ends 66 and 6! which are journaled in jewel bearings 62 and 63, respectively. The jewel bearing 62 is carried by the lower end of a screw 63a which extends through a round nut 65 a threaded sleeve 64 carried by the upper plate l5.

The lower jewel bearing 63 is carried by a screw 66 which is situated in an opening 61 provided in the base H. The screw 66 is screwed into a sleeve 68 which is carried by the plate I2.

A screw 14 carrying a nut 18 extends through the post I3 and has a free end which is situated adjacent the lever portion 28. Another screw H is situated opposite the screw 14 and is carried by the post I4. The screw H carries the nut 72. The two screws 14 and H are used to regulate the throw of the operating lever l8 and the parts connected therewith.

A coiled spring 13 has an end which extends through the lever portion 28. The opposite end 15 of the spring 13 surrounds an end of an adjusting screw 16, which carries a nut 11 and extends through the post l3 above the screw 14. The spring 14 the tension of which is regulated by the screw 16, presses the lever portion 28 normally against the end of the screw H.

The base i I also carries posts it and 19 (Fig. l) which may be attached by the wires 80 and Bi to any suitable source of electrical energy which is not shown in the drawings. The post 79 is provided with a conducting plate 82 which may be brought into engagement with a lever 83 rotatably mounted upon a pivot 85 and having an insulating handle 84.

The contact post 18 is electrically connected with the contacts 56 and 46 by any suitable means well known in the art and not illustrated in the drawings. The post 19 may be connected by means of the lever 83 with the contacts 56 and 41.

The device used for damping the vibrations of the lever 18 comprises a post 86 (Fig. 1) which is carried by the base I l and which carries a rod 8'! extending horizontally through an opening formed in the post 86. The rod 81' carries a U-shaped support 88 which may be somewhat tilted in relation to the horizontal plane, as shown in Figure '7. The support 88 carries a rod 88. A cylinder 90 is freely mounted upon the rod 89 and is situated between the projections of the U-shaped support 88.

The projection 20 is situated somewhat below the center of the cylinder 96 so that when the projection 28 strikes the cylinder 80 it will cause the support 88 to swing upwardly upon the rod 83, thus increasing the damping effect of the cylinder 96.

In operation, in order to send the dot signals of a message the operator moves the thumb piece 36 of the lever I8 to the right (looking in the direction of the arrows 6-6 in Figure 1), thereby rotating the lever portion 28 on the spindle 30 and compressing the spring 13 until the lever portion 28 strikes the free end of the screw M. This sets the vibrator bar I 9 of the lever l8 and the connected parts in vibration and causes a series of makes and breaks of circuit between the contact 58 carried by the U-shaped spring 5| and the contact 56. Thus the machine sends the dots of a message automatically, the number of the dots being determined by the length of time the operator holds the thumb piece 36 in the described position. As soon as the operator lets go of the thumb piece 36, the spring 13 will cause the return of the lever l8 back to its normal position.

In order to send the dashes of a message the operator moves the finger piece 35 in the opposite direction, thus turning the handle 32 upon the spindle 3B and bringing the contact 46 into engagement with the contact 41. Each time after a dash signal has been sent, the spring 42 returns the handle 32 back to its normal position.

In accordance with the present invention, the amplitude of the Vibrations of the vibrator bar l9 may be easily regulated or adjusted to adapt the machine to the requirements or the skill of each individual operator; in order to vary the operative length of the vibrating portions of the operating lever l8 and thus vary the speed with which the dot signals are produced, it is merely necessary to unscrew the springs 25 and adjust the vibrator bar IS in relation to the vibrator spring 26 until the two parts assume the required position. Then the screws 25 are fastened again and the machine is ready for operation.

Due to the provision of the jewel bearings iii! and t3 the spindle will turn upon its bearings even if the manual force applied to the handle portion of the operating spring it is extremely small. Thus the operation of the machine is considerably facilitated and any strain upon or cramping or the fingers is avoided.

Due to the inclined position of the cylinder til and the position of the projection 26] below the center of gravity of the cylinder till a perfect damping of the vibrator bar it is attained.

The operating lever iiill shown in Figures 3 to 10 of the drawings comprises a vibrator bar ltl and a vibrator spring illi. The vibrator bar lti has a bifurcated end consisting of the leg portions its and ltd which are separated by the slot Hit. The portion W3 is provided with a cylindrical slot Hit while a smaller threaded opening; Evil is provided in the member Hit opposite the opening lbs. The members it and liltare also provided with alined openings ltd and tilt, respectively.

The vibrator spring W2 is provided with a cen-- tral elongated slot lit. The upper edge of the slot Mil has teeth ill meshing with a toothed wheel Hi3 which is firmly connected with a disk lit situated outside of the member Hit. The toothed wheel H2 is provided with an inner threaded opening and a screw ll l situated outside of the member liii-l is screwed into this threaded opening.

By means of this arrangement the operative length of the vibrator lever Hill may be adjusted at will, first by loosening the tightening screw it which extends through the opening ldt and is screwed into the opening lll'l. Then the screw lit is rotated; the gear wheel lit will rotate along with the screw ti l, thus shifting the vi-- brator spring ltii within the slot ltd. The operative length of the vibrator spring tilt and consequently the amplitude of the vibrations of the vibrator bar liil may thus be quickly and conveniently varied.

It is apparent that the specific illustrations shown above have been given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and that the structures above described are subject to wide variation and modification without departing from. the scope or intent of the invention, all of which variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an operating lever for telegraphic semiautomatic sending machines, a resilient portion, a non-resilient portion having one end connected with an end of said resilientportion and means for varying the relative positions of said resilient and non-resilient portions to vary the amplitude of vibrations of a portion of said operating lever. 1

2. In an operating lever for a telegraphic semiautomatic sending machine, a vibrator spring, a vibrator bar having one end connected with one end of said vibrator spring, and means for varying the relative positions of said vibrator spring and vibrator bar to vary the amplitude of vibrations of said vibrator bar.

3. In an operating lever for a telegraphic semiautomatic sending machine, a vibrator spring having an elongated slot formed in an end thereof; a vibrator bar having a slot formed therein, the slot of the vibrator bar receiving said end of the vibrator spring, and a tightening screw carried by said vibrator bar and extending through the two slots.

i. In an operating lever for a telegraphic semiautomatic sending machine, a vibrator spring having an elongated slot formed in an end thereof; a vibrator bar having a slot formed therein, the slot of the vibrator bar receiving said end of the vibrator spring, a nonthreaded opening being formed in said vibrator bar on one side of the slot thereof, another threaded opening in alinement with the non-threaded opening being formed in said vibrator bar on the opposite side of its slot, and a tightening screw extending through the two slots, said tightening screw being screwed into the threaded opening and extending through the non-threaded opening.

5. In a telegraphic semi-automatic sending machine having a vibrating lever portion; a damping device ior said vibrating lever portion,

damping device comprising a post, a support rotatably carried by said post, and a cyliner rotatably carried by said support and adapted to be engaged by said vibrating lever portion to damp the vibrations thereof.

6. In a telegraphic semi-automatic sending machine having a vibrating lever portion; a clamping device for said vibrating lever portion,

said damping device comprising a vertical post,

support swingably mounted in said post and extending normally at an acute angle to a horizontal. plane, and a cylinder rotatabiy carried by said support and adapted to be engaged by said vibrating lever portion to damp the vibrations thereof, the center of gravity of said cylinbeing higher than any point of contact between the cylinder and the vibrating lever portion.

In a telegraphic semi-automatic sending machine having an operating lever comprising a vibrating portion and a non-vibrating portion connected with said vibrating portion; and a spindle extending through said non-vibrating portion and firmly connected therewith; jewel bearings supporting two ends of said spindle and means carrying said jewel bearings.

8. A telegraphic semi-automatic sending inaohine, comprising, in combination, an operating lever having a non-vibrating portion adapted to transmit dash signals, and a vibrating portion adjustably connected with said morn-vibrating portion and adapted to transmit dot signals; damping means comprising a post, a support rotatably carried by said post, and a cylinder rotatably carried by said support and adapted to be engaged by said vibrating lever portion to damp the vibrations thereof; a spindie extending through said non-vibrating portion and firmly connected therewith; jewel bearings supporting two ends of said spindle and means carrying said jewel bearings.

9. In an operating lever for a telegraphic semi! automatic sending machine, a vibrator spring having an elongated slot formed in an end thereof; a vibrator bar having a slot formed therein, the slot of the vibrator bar receiving said end of the vibrator spring, an edge of the slot of said vibrator spring having teeth formed therein, and a toothed member rotatably mounted in said vibrator bar and meshing with said teeth to vary the operative length of said vibrator spring.

JOHN A. LA HIF'F. 

